FYI A while back I tried to sell a gorgeous, near mint Swiss Vetterli Rim fire for a friend of mine.It had been in one closet or another for almost 90 years, so the story goes. NO TAKERS so I bought it and and had a shooting buddy convert it to a center fire. He has 15 of these rifles and has converted many others. Some collector missed out.

For this conversion there never was any factory ammo made so I guess it is a wildcat.THE CASES ARE MADE FROM SLIGHTLY MACHINED. TRIMMED AND FORMED .348 CASES.

Yesterday the first target from this conversion was given me. At 100 yds. with open sights the first 4 shot group had two in the bull and two in the 10 ring a measured group of 1.7". The next 4 shot group was at 12 0'clock 1 1/2" from center bull and measure .4".

These were cast bullets over 300 gr. moving at 1200 fps.pushed by a mild load of 5744.
Some what of a deversion for me but an interesting fun thing just the same. roger

It's fun when a plan comes together.Good Luck

Shot the, now, center fire Vetterli yesterday for the first time. What a thrill. I was just like a kid popping steel targets with 310 gr. cast bullets out to 300 yds using open sights. The avg. velocity was 1250fps. Didn't need a spoter because of the modest trajectory and low recoil. roger

The Swiss Vetterli might be the best kept secret in Antique Milsurps. There are thousands of them in excellent condition sitting unshot because they're rimfire and ammo is unavailable. The centerfire conversion is easy, dies are made by Lee, brass can be made from 348 Win or Grafs 5x50R Lebel, and bullets are 44 Cal. They can be very accurate! I shoot a custom 330gr and like 22.0 grs of SR4759. That and 12.0 grs of Unique seem to be almost universal loads for guns like this.

quote:

Originally posted by Andy_P:
The Swiss Vetterli might be the best kept secret in Antique Milsurps. There are thousands of them in excellent condition sitting unshot because they're rimfire and ammo is unavailable. The centerfire conversion is easy, dies are made by Lee, brass can be made from 348 Win or Grafs 5x50R Lebel, and bullets are 44 Cal. They can be very accurate! I shoot a custom 330gr and like 22.0 grs of SR4759. That and 12.0 grs of Unique seem to be almost universal loads for guns like this.

Thanks for the posting , Andy.My interpolation indicated that 22gr. of 4759 would get around 1250fps. I loaded 18gr and 18.5 gr. in an effort to drop just below sub sonic. Wed. we'll see how close it got.Thanks for sharing your info! roger

In my gun, 22.0 grs of SR4759 under a 330 gr cast gives 1450 fps which I consider a max load for that powder.

quote:

Originally posted by Andy_P:
In my gun, 22.0 grs of SR4759 under a 330 gr cast gives 1450 fps which I consider a max load for that powder.

Is the 8mmARP yours? In the early 90s I did the 8mmX425WRX2.5",,, Which later became 8mmX.404x2.5". It differed from yours in that it had a longer neck a 26 degree shoulder and somewhat less capacity. The motivations were the same. roger

Yes that is mine. In the world of Wildcats, it's all been done before.

FYI
310grain cast bullet, WLR., WW.348 cases, oal= 2.22"

18.5gr. 4759, avg.fps=1200 accurate some soot but very little.

19gr. 4759, avg.fps= 1200 ?? accurate

19.5gr. 4759, avg.fps=1250fps. accurate.

17.5gr. Acc#9, avg.fps=1170, 2.5" group @50yds.a little gas in the face.sooty.

18gr. Acc#9, avg.fps=1209, Sooty.

Accurate, big holes, no kick; just a fun shooter. roger

Old age is a high price to pay for maturity!!! Some never pay and some pay and never reap the reward. Wisdom comes with age! Sometimes age comes alone..